Is worker safety lacking within your company’s work environment? Are you concerned company safety rules policies aren’t being followed? Are you nervous
that a serious workplace accident could be right around the corner?

If any one of the above questions apply to your workplace and you answered yes, then it’s time to take a serious step back and reassess whether you and
your employees are doing everything you can to embrace an effective office accident prevention strategy. Once you’ve accepted the fact that your company
safety policies need some work, only then can you begin to correct them and thereby improve overall company safety.

A good way to begin this process is to go after some of the low-hanging fruit, so to speak, because often times some of the biggest worker safety hazards
are in plain sight. Occasionally, the answer involves replacing equipment or furniture to allow employees to work comfortably. On other occasions,
the equipment may be satisfactory but the process of using said equipment could be redesigned.

Situations in offices that can lead to injury or illness involve the following:

Now that you know what to look for, let’s discuss six simple safety hazards that can be avoided to keep everyone safe and injury-free.

Unnecessary Fall Hazards

Spilled liquids (think coffee) on the floor or a wayward electrical cord can cause a serious slip and fall injury. A good way to prevent these hazards
is to ensure all spills are wiped up or reported immediately. Also, because winter is right around the corner, consider putting doormats in front of
entrances to soak up tracked-in rain or snow.

Always pick up loose objects on the floor and report loose carpeting or damaged floor surfaces. Keep aisles clear and secure electrical cords away from
walkways. Make sure drawers are completely closed after every use and always wear stable shoes with non-skid soles and exercise care when walking up
and down stairs.

Lack of Ergonomics

Always exercise caution when lifting something while at work. Believe it or not, even small loads can cause serious back and neck injury. Also, never twist
when lifting, be sure to hold the object close to you and lift with your legs and not your back. Another good way to ensure proper ergonomics is to
arrange your workstation to fit you so that your body can maintain a relaxed, neutral posture.

Be sure to adjust chair height so that your feet can rest flat on the floor and adjust the monitor so that you can look directly at it without tilting
your head up or down. When on the keyboard, your wrists should be straight. And lastly, while it may seem lazy, be sure to vary your tasks during the
day and take mini-breaks to rest eyes and muscles. Take opportunities to get up, walk around and stretch.

Misplaced Material Storage

What happens when materials aren’t stacked neatly? They can fall. What happens when materials aren’t stacked neatly around a busy work environment? They
can fall and injure workers. Be sure to store heavy objects on lower shelves and try to store materials inside cabinets and files.

Also be sure to keep materials out of aisles and passageways and never place materials in front of fire exits, extinguishers or other emergency equipment.
Materials should also be stored at least 18-inches away from sprinkler heads, as this could impact the sprinkler's effectiveness in case of a fire.

Electrical and Fire Hazards

Faulty electrical wiring can be downright dangerous for you and your employees. Always inspect power cords and discard any that are worn, have exposed
wires or missing prongs. Because there is never enough electrical plugs, if you use extension cords, be sure they are rated for the expected load.
Do not overload power strips and never plug a power strip directly into another power strip—this is known as “daisy-chaining” and can lead to
dangerously overloaded circuits.

And while it will undoubtedly start to get cold in the winter months, be wary of space heaters. Portable space heaters can pose a major fire risk, so if
you must use them, be sure they are approved for commercial use and never use with an extension cord.

Environmental Factors

Your work environment could be suffering from indoor air quality issues, such as poor ventilation, indoor temperature (too hot or cold) relative humidity
(too high or low), and emissions from office machines.

If this is of a major concern, be sure to raise the issue or issues with the person in charge of building management so that an air quality assessment
can be completed and necessary adjustments made.

Emergency Procedures

One of the biggest company safety rules that should be required of all employees is becoming familiar with your organization’s emergency plan. Always make
sure your employees learn your organization’s procedures for handling workplace injuries and illnesses.

Helpful information included in these policies involves knowing where the nearest emergency exits and alternative exits are located within your workplace.
Another is knowing where the closest First Aid kit is located. A good way to solidify these policies is to have management conduct an emergency evacuation
drill at least once per year.

About AWANE

AWANE is a group of automotive related businesses, manufacturers of automotive goods, goods and services for motor vehicles or roads, fuel, and related lines who together form a network that provides a voice in legislative issues, and purchasing power in the areas of insurance, credit card processing, and business forms.
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AWANE is an acronym for the Automotive Wholesalers Association of New England. We are a group of automotive, road, and fuel-related businesses who together form a trade association. By joining AWANE, members receive better insurance plan options and rates, a voice in legislative issues, and administrative support.